Aquarium staff member feeding terrapins

Full-Time Employment

The Virginia Aquarium recruits and hires most employees through the City of Virginia Beach, and offers generous professional development opportunities! View available full-time positions on the City's website.

Part-Time Contract Employment

We are currently hiring for the following part-time positions:

Salary 

$15/hour

Hours 

Will vary but will include weekends and some evenings.

Duties

  • Provide an exceptional experience for Aquarium guests.
  • Interact and engage with guests.
  • Facilitate one-on-one, small group, and large group programs, thematic evening events, and
  • science demonstrations.
  • Facilitate one-on-one interactions with Aquarium guests in key engagement areas throughout
  • both buildings including the Chesapeake Bay, Ray and Jellies Touch Pools, Sea Turtles, Sharks
  • and Otters.
  • Provide guests with educational information including conservation messages.
  • Provide and support additional educational engagement opportunities as needed.
  • Assist guests with customer service needs.
  • Coach and mentor teen and adult docents.

Requirements

  • High school diploma
  • Any combination of college coursework and work or volunteer experience equivalent to two years that includes science or education studies or teaching in an informal learning environment.

Preferences

Work or volunteer experience at an informal education site (aquarium, museum, zoo, etc.); customer service experience; excellent verbal presentation skills; ability to communicate effectively with guests of all ages; ability to handle tasks independently and with attention to detail.

How to Apply

Send a resume, cover letter, and two references to Karen Burns, Guest Engagement Supervisor.

Email: KPBurns@VirginiaAquarium.com (Include Guest Engagement Educator in the subject line)

or

Mail to:

Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center

717 General Booth Blvd.

Virginia Beach, Virginia 23451

Attention: Karen Burns

Applicants selected for an interview will be contacted.

Hourly Rate

$15.00

Hours

Flexible shifts including weekends and holidays and be available to work between the hours of 8:30am and 6:30pm.

Duties

Provide exceptional guest service that transforms a day at the Aquarium from ordinary to extraordinary.

  • Greet all guests in line of sight with a smile, a verbal greeting, and approachable friendliness.
  • Sell merchandise, answer questions about the merchandise, maintain a clean and organized sales floor, and restock and process merchandise.
  • Receive payment by cash, credit cards, or vouchers. Issue receipts, refunds, or change due to guests.
  • Assist guests in a friendly and positive manner by using your knowledge of Aquarium offerings, prices, membership, directions, and general information.
  • Become familiar with the Aquarium's story – history, accomplishments, and future goals.
  • Go beyond what is expected – deliver personal experiences that inspire, delight, and engage.
  • Project a professional image while in uniform.

Requirements

  • Must be able to work flexible shifts including weekends and holidays and be available to work between the hours of 8:30am and 6:30pm.
  • This is a position that requires the applicant to stand for long periods of time, it is not a seated position.

Preferences

  • Outstanding customer service skills.
  • Completion of at least two years of high school.
  • Enthusiastic, motivated, and enjoy working with people.
  • Cash handling experience.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

How to Apply

Send a resume via email to TOCarrol@vbgov.com .

Hourly Rate

$15/hour

Hours

Will vary including some weekends and evenings.

Duties

Duties include:

  • Establishing relationships with and monitoring the participation of Sensible Seafood program partners.
  • Working with team members to create and conduct presentations for community-based organizations (outreach) and represent Sensible Seafood at community-based events.
  • Recruit new program partners.
  • Serving as a liaison for the Aquarium Sensible Seafood team and the program partners
  • Interacting and engaging with guests onsite and at offsite events.
  • Facilitating one-on-one, and small-group presentations onsite and at outreach events.
  • Develop and implement conservation-focused educational information and talking points.

Requirements

  • High school diploma.
  • Any combination of college coursework and work or volunteer experience equivalent to two years that includes science or education studies or teaching in an informal learning environment.

Preferences

Work or volunteer experience at an informal education site (aquarium, museum, zoo, etc.); customer service experience; excellent verbal presentation skills; ability to communicate effectively with guests of all ages; ability to handle tasks independently and with attention to detail.

How to Apply

Send a resume, cover letter, and two references to Karen Burns, Guest Engagement Supervisor.

Email: KPBurns@VirginiaAquarium.com (Include Sensible Seafood program educator in the subject line)

Hourly rate

$15.00

Hours

Hours vary, some weekends required.

Duties

Assist the horticulture section with nature trail and horticulture exhibit maintenance, including but not limited to:

  • Mulching, maintaining, and weeding plant and shrub beds, lawn areas, and walkways
  • Pruning and trimming trees and shrubs
  • Planting, raking, collecting, and removing debris
  • Operation of a lawnmower, leaf blower, and weed eater
  • Loading and unloading tools, equipment, soil, gravel, and sand for project assignments
  • Maintaining plants in an indoor environment
  • Storm damage cleanup
  • Other horticultural duties as required.

Requirements

  • High school graduate or GED plus some outdoor work experience.
  • Ability to use common gardening and hand tools.
  • Ability to perform physical labor under various climate conditions for extended periods.
  • Ability to bend and kneel for extended periods.
  • Ability to use a backpack blower and string trimmer for extended periods.
  • Ability to lift up to 50 pounds. Interact with staff, volunteers, and public in a pleasant and professional manner.

Preferences

  • Have a general knowledge of horticulture practices and a desire to learn.
  • Knowledge of native Virginia plants is desirable, but not required.
  • Horticulture experience is a plus.

To Apply

Email your resume and cover letter to BRoosa@VirginiaAquarium.com
or
mail to
Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center
717 General Booth Blvd.
Virginia Beach, VA 23451

If selected, applicants will be hired through Abacus Staffing Services.

Internships

We offer several internships for college students throughout the year. These unpaid volunteer positions provide career exploration for rising college juniors and seniors seeking academic credit with an interest in pursuing careers related to biology, marine biology, science education, aquarium sciences, or related support staff positions.

The Virginia Aquarium’s Guest Services Division is now accepting applications for a Guest Engagement-Community Engagement Intern. The application deadline is open until a candidate has been selected. Interns are expected to complete 160 hours over three consecutive months, depending on semester dates. Please note that this is an unpaid experience, and the Virginia Aquarium does not provide intern housing. Interns are fully responsible for fulfilling all requirements of their home institutions to receive academic credit.

Position Overview

The Guest Engagement-Community Engagement Intern will be responsible for helping develop and implement Discovery Garden programs and Grab Go Show bags with a focus on fun educational content accessible to an early learning audience.

Responsibilities

  • Develop and implement Discovery Garden activities that encourage the exploration of nature and science through play for a young audience.
  • Facilitate programs that cater to an early learning audience that share core conservation messages that are easy for all guests to understand.
  • Create opportunities for a wide age range of children, including pre-kindergarten and school-aged children, to explore and learn about nature at the key engagement areas in the Aquarium.
  • Develop Grab Go Show bags to compliment messaging at key engagement areas: Rays, Upland River, and Sharks.
  • Conduct evaluation on the Discovery Garden programming offered to ensure educational goals are met.
  • Work with staff to ensure guests’ needs are met with excellent customer service.

Required Qualifications

  • Must be at least 18 years old.
  • Must be a rising sophomore, junior, or recent graduate.
  • Must be self-motivated, articulate, mature, reliable, and responsible. Should work well independently as well as with a team.
  • Must be physically fit, able to lift 50 pounds, and stand outdoors for long periods.

Preferred Qualifications

  • Demonstrate interest in a career in environmental education and/or science communication.
  • Have some experience working with an early learning or young audience.
  • Have excellent communication skills.
  • Be comfortable talking to guests and providing good customer service.

Position Requirements

  • Possess a valid U.S. driver’s license.
  • Pass a City of Virginia Beach background check.
  • Be available to work during the Aquarium’s operating hours, 9:00am-5:00pm, and until 6:00pm during the summer, which includes weekends and holidays.

Intern Learning Objectives

  • Develop fundamental engagement skills and test strategies for informal environmental education communication.
  • Gain programming and facilitation skills by overseeing the entire program planning process.
  • Facilitate teamwork through positive actions and activities.
  • Deliver a formal report of the experience that includes insight and knowledge gained that can be shared with the education staff in an informal presentation.

Intern Schedule

The internship schedule is flexible to accommodate classes and work obligations.

Minimum Commitment Required

160 hours over a consecutive three-month period.

Intern Supervisor/Mentor

Equity, Community, and Learning Team Lead.

Work Location

Virginia Aquarium’s Main and South Buildings.

Application Requirements

A complete Guest Engagement-Community Engagement Intern application packet must include the following components. Only complete application packets will be considered.

Completed Application Packets

Email the completed application packet to: Interns@VirginiaAquarium.com  and copy KPBurns@VirginiaAquarium.com . Please put "Guest Engagement Intern Application Packet" in the subject line.

OR

Mail your completed application packet to:

Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center

717 General Booth Boulevard

Virginia Beach, Virginia 23451

Attn: Volunteer Engagement - Intern Applicant

Fellowships

We also offer fellowship opportunities in marine science, animal care, exhibits, and education, to college or post-graduate students. The Batten Fellowship also includes a stipend to help offset personal and incidental expenses. Batten Fellowships fund students to complete work in specific projects and programs.

The Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center's Mammal and Animal Ambassador staff are now accepting applications for an Animal Care Batten Fellow. The application deadline is March 8, 2024. Fellows are expected to work 400 hours over a consecutive three-month period. Fellowships will be fulfilled in accordance with COVID-19 safety guidelines, and positions are subject to change based on the most current recommendations. The Virginia Aquarium does not provide housing.

Fellows are fully responsible for fulfilling all requirements of their home institutions to receive academic credit. This competitive position includes a modest compensation, $15 per hour, to help offset personal and incidental expenses over the appointment period.

Position Overview

The Animal Care Fellow will work with the Mammal and Animal Ambassador teams to complete behavioral studies using Zoo Monitor. The fellow will also be exposed to all aspects of care for our Mammal and Animal Ambassador animals.

Duties

  • Conduct animal observations working with the Zoo Monitor program.
  • Analyze observation data.
  • Create a document or presentation detailing the behavioral data collected and analyzed.
  • Complete diet preparation for a variety of animals. 
  • Clean enclosures, habitats, food prep areas, utensils, buckets, and equipment.  
  • Maintaining thorough records.  
  • Speak on a microphone for educational programs.  

Required Qualifications

  • Must be at least 18 years old. 
  • Must be a rising junior, recent graduate (within five years), or currently pursuing a post-graduate degree in a related field. 
  • Must be self-motivated, articulate, mature, reliable, and responsible. Should work well independently as well as with a team. 
  • Must be physically fit with the ability to lift 50 pounds and stand for long periods outdoors.
  • Be comfortable in and around open water. 
  • Must be comfortable handling reptiles, birds, invertebrates, amphibians, and mammals. 
  • Must listen to and take direction well. 

Preferred Qualifications

  • Demonstrate interest in a career in environmental science, animal care, conservation, behavioral management, or related field. 
  • Have excellent communication skills. 
  • Be comfortable talking to guests and providing superior customer service. 

Position Requirements

  • Possess a valid U.S. driver's license. 
  • Pass a City of Virginia Beach background check. 
  • Be available to work during animal care hours, 7:00am - 6:00pm daily, including weekends and holidays. 

Fellowship Learning Objectives

  • Gain knowledge of all aspects of animal husbandry.
  • Develop a strong understanding of operant and classical conditioning.
  • Create a new enrichment device. 
  • Conduct public programs.
  • Deliver a formal presentation of the experience that includes insight and knowledge gained that can be shared with the staff and other fellows in an informal presentation.

Fellow Schedule

The fellow is expected to be available 4 to 5 days per week, with shifts varying between 7:00 a.m. -6:00 p.m. Weekend and holiday coverage is expected. 

Minimum Commitment Required

400 hours.

Work Location

Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center.

Application Requirements

A complete Mammals and Animal Ambassador Batten Fellowship application packet must include the following. Incomplete application packets will not be considered.

  • A Cover letter indicating the specific Batten Fellowship opportunity for which you are applying. There is some flexibility with the Fellowship start and end dates; please include any known schedule conflicts.
  • A Fellowship expectations letter. This should detail what you expect to do and gain from your experience.
  • Resume
  • College Transcript(s)
  • Two letters of recommendation. One must be an academic reference.

Completed Application Packet

Email your completed application packet to CHaley@VirginiaAquarium.com and copy Interns@VirginiaAquarium.com . Please type "Animal Care Fellowship" in the subject line. Incomplete application packets will not be considered.

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